The treaty that was made between the Nephites on one hand, and the Lamanites with their many dissident Nephites on the other, lasted for ten years, in which interim of warfare, the peaceful pursuits of the Nephites were largely devoted to the preparation for war that seemed to Mormon as inevitable. During that time, he says, "I had employed my people, the Nephites, in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle."